Cable-grip clamp



PATENTED JAN. 19, 1904.

EQJ. BROWN.

CABLE GRIP CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 8, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

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a 0 ,2 Z 2 Z UNITED STATES Patented January 19, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

CABLE-GRIP CLAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 749,896, dated. January 19, 1904. Application filed May 8, 1903. Serial No. 156,257. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ELBERT J. BROWN, acitizen of the United States, residing at Coalinga, in the county of Fresno and State of California, have invented a new and useful Cable- Grrip Clamp, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to gripping devices employed for holding cables and the like in well-drilling operations and for similar purposes, and has for its object to simplify and improve devices of this character; and the invention consists in certain novel features of the construction, as hereinafter shown and described, and specified in the claims.

In the drawings illustrative of the invention, in which corresponding parts are denoted by like designating characters, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partially in section; and Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

The improved device consists of two opposing jaw members 11, reversely inclined and inclosed in a clamp-frame 12, having the usual clamp-screw 13, by which the jaw members are forcibly pressed toward the cable 14, which hangs between them. The upper ends of the members 10 11 are formed, respectively, with hooks 15 16, with which the links 17 18 are engaged in the usual manner, the links adapted' to be connected to the temper-screw or other apparatus in the ordinary manner. The temper-screw and other parts are not shown, as the construction of these parts is so well known and as they form no part of the present invention. The contiguous faces of the jaw members 10 11 are provided with longitudinal recesses 19 20, preferably dovetailed or with undercut sides, the recesses adapted to support grip-plates 21 22, correspondingly dovetailed. The grip-plates are provided with cable-engaging channels in their contiguous faces and are somewhat shorter than the rec'esses 19 20, so that they will have a considerable longitudinal movement within the channels and are held yieldably in position therein by springs 23 24:, as shown. The recesses 19 open upwardly through the jaw members to provide for the insertion of the grip-plates,

and the latter are prevented from accidental displacement by stop-pins 25 26, as shown. The recesses 19 20 are closed at the bottom, and between the closed bottom and the gripplates the springs 23 24 are arranged, so that they exert a constant upward yieldable force against the grip-plates. By this arrangement it will be obvious that when the cable (represented at 14) is placed in position between the grip-plates and the jaw members by which they are supported and the frame 12 clamped in position by screw 13 any downward strain upon the cable will cause the grip-plates to be very forcibly moved inwardly and grip the cable with great force, and the greater the strain the firmer will be the grip. Then when the force is removed and the device lowered upon the cable the springs 23 24: will force the grip-plates upwardly and automatically release the pressure from the cable and permit the device to move into a new position. At the first downward movement of the cable or the upward movement of the gripping-jaws the grip-plates will at once reengage the cable and firmly hold it in place.

The device is thus automatic in its action and will exert a yielding and gradually-applied force to the cable, thereby obviating any tendency to abrade the strands or otherwise injure the cable.

The parts may be of any required size to adapt the device to any size of cable and will be of any suitable metal of strengthsuflicient to withstand the strains to which it will be subjected.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is- 1. A grip for cables and the like consisting of opposing jaws having longitudinal recesses in their contiguous faces, grip-plates mounted for longitudinal movement in said recesses and having cable-engaging channels in their contiguous faces, and means for laterally supporting said opposing jaw members. I

2. A grip for cables and the like consisting of reversely-inclined opposing jaw members having longitudinal recesses in their contiguous faces, grip-plates mounted for longitudinal movement in said recesses and having cableengaging channels in their contiguous faces, plates yieldably in inoperative position, and a and a supporting-frame inclosing said jaW supporting-frameinclosing said jawmembers, members, substantially as described. substantially as specified.

3. A grip for cables and the like consisting In testimony that I claim the foregoing as 5 of reversely-inclined opposing jaw members my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in 5 having longitudinal recesses in their 0011- the presence of two Witnesses.

tiguous faces, grip-plates mounted for longi- ELBERT J. BROWN. tudinal movement in said recesses and having Witnesses: cable-engaging channels in their contiguous HENRY C. KERR,

10 faces, springs operating to maintain said grip- A. P. HALIBURTON. 

